EPP Congress in Helsinki: New political leadership group at SME Europe to fight for SMEs and Manfred Weber
During the EPP Congress in Helsinki, SME Europe of the European People’s Party held a Theme Day “SMEs and a Digital Future of Europe” with Alexander Stubb and Commissioner Mariya Gabriel as well as its Election General Assembly with Manfred Weber.
The General Assembly re-confirmed the Board of SME Europe:
Ivan Štefanec MEP as President, Iuliu Winkler MEP as First Vice President, and as Vice Presidents Claudia Monteiro de Aguiar MEP, Michal Boni MEP, Elisabetta Gardini MEP, Eva Maydell MEP, Domagoj Milosevic, Member of the Croation Parliament and Angelika Winzig, Member of the Austrian Parliament (VP & Treasurer).
Bendt Bendtsen, former President of SME Europe, was voted to become an Honorary President marking his leadership in the past three years and his lifetime dedication to the interests of SMEs.
Dr. Horst Heitz was re-confirmed Executive Director of the organization.
Furthermore, we welcome a new member ZPO HDZ that will help us to strengthen the voice of Croatian SMEs in Brussels.
After Manfred Weber’s speech, SME Europe has voted to support his candidacy as “EPP Spitzenkandidat” unanimously. SME Europe is also determined to contribute significantly to the EPP election campaign.
The new President, Member of the European Parliament from Slovakia, Ivan Štefanec said in the first statement after his election: ”SME Europe is the strongest and most active political voice for SMEs in Europe. Together with our board and our national members, we will work hard for the interests of our SMEs to create the best business environment for growth, jobs, and fairness. We are looking forward to co-operating with all stakeholders, who want to support SMEs and a successful Europe in the interests of our citizens. We also believe that the programme and the vision of Manfred Weber will greatly benefit European economic and social environment and we will continue supporting him through his election campaign, as “a candidate for SMEs!”
Dr. Paul Rübig MEP, President of SME Global and the Honorary President of SME Europe has said: “The new board of SME Europe, that consists of political leadership representing several EU countries, is a strong voice for our Entrepreneurs, regional Microbusiness and hidden World Champions of mid-sized companies. SME Europe is growing and becoming stronger and stronger every year. With over 100 Events in three years, we are making SMEs visible and give them a strong voice in Brussels”.
More information about our Theme Day “SMEs and a Digital Future of Europe”:
Round Table “A Digital Europe for Everyone” with Commissioner Gabriel and First-Vice President Winkler MEP.
Working Breakfast “Online Platforms: How to create a win-win situation for a thriving digital economy?” with Alexander Stubb.
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